Los Angeles, CA – The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), one of the largest immigrant rights organizations in the United States, welcomes today’s executive action that seeks to unite and keep American immigrant families together. Please attribute the following comments to Angelica Salas, CHIRLA Executive Director. “Family unity stands as a cornerstone in the foundation of our nation. The executive action delivered by the White House seeks to provide the stability of permanent protections for some American families. Parole in place is one of several life-changing policies, which recognizes long-term residents, and we are pleased that the Biden Administration has taken this humane and common-sense step forward. In addition to parole in place for undocumented spouses and stepchildren of United States citizens, we applaud the Administration’s steps to ease the employment visa process for many Dreamers and DACA recipients with college degrees. Today’s announcement is testimony that our community’s unrelenting advocacy can bear fruit. The action offers hope to those living in uncertainty while inspiring us to continue to repudiate any step that threatens the well-being of immigrants in the U.S. At the same time, this action cannot be seen in a vacuum, and we continue to reject the explicit links of positive reforms like this to continuous restrictions, particularly those placed on the right to seek asylum. Temporary affirmative relief offers respite to life in limbo for thousands, but more can and must be done to permanently protect additional immigrants. Many—despite their undocumented status have kept this country afloat in times of crisis, fed our nation, help build homes and roads, and take care of our elders and children with kindness and love. We celebrate this progress, noting that it has been nearly four decades since the passage of legislation that would allow millions who form an integral part of the American fabric to become full participants of our society. Legislation now in Congress, such as an update to the Registry, could set nearly 8 million immigrants on a pathway to citizenship and we urge Congress and President Biden to move it forward. CHIRLA will work through our legal services to make this benefit accessible to thousands of individuals and work through our civic engagement to ensure its endurance. Today we celebrate for all the people whose lives have changed for the better.” ### | 
